Saturday, March 05, 2016

What they like about them

by digby

You Gov put a series of word clouds together on the presidential candidates. Members of both parties describe their own candidates and the remaining candidates of the other party. I think the way the Republicans describe their own is the most interesting

There's a lot in there that explains their appeal and their problems. The most interesting one is Trump, of course, because the most common words to describe him are really just different ways of looking at the same characteristics: "bully egomaniac" and "strong leader".

The fact that Cruz is failing to catch fire despite the clear impression of him among Republicans as the "true conservative" is also very telling. They will blame it on his personality, of course. But in truth is exposes the central truth of this election --- most GOP voters don't care about conservative orthodoxy and probably never have. They care about the dogwhistles.

The most interesting thing about Rubio is the fact that members of both parties have the same impression of him which is that he's "young". That seems to be a handicap in this election which is sort of surprising.

Anyway, it's a fun illustration of the way the various factions view their candidates and their rivals. It can tell you a lot.